Why do i need a flue liner

Always make sure any components you use on your chimney are suitable and approved - also check out the guarantee when buying online most require you to have the chimney swept 4 times a year by an approved sweep and to keep any receipts and then they only guarantee the product not the re-install of the liner if needed.

Why do we need a flue liner is always a question that most customers ask. The simple answer is that most chimneys have either deteriorated over time or they are over sized for your appliance making them less efficent and not compliant with current building regulations or manufacturers instructions( most manufacturers state to line the chimney if its over 200 mm and as most brick chimneys are you can guess what that means) Having a flue system that is correctly sized for your appliance will ensure that it is running efficiently and allowing you to get the most heat out while putting the minimum fuel in

With solid fuel/wood the test is more stringent then gas and involves blocking off your chimney at high and low level and checking for any escape of smoke in the chimney, loft spaces and bedrooms this is called the bag test which we can do if required. There is a high fail rate of this test so always look at a pricing for a liner too just incase. If your chimney passes and is the correct size as set by building regulations or the manufacturer then you do not need to have a liner but may require a pot and cowl. Please note open fires that fail a test require an 200mm liner while old cottages and large houses can take this size liner most small terraced properties can not so always get a test done first and plan for a wood-burner if it fails

Gas is more simple a flue flow test from below with a visual check of the smoke exiting your chimney and in loft spaces and rooms above is suffice to tell if a liner is required. As with solid fuel the same rule applies for open gas fires they will require a 200 mm liner and same again wont go down many new or small chimneys

There are two different quality of flue liners used as standard 316/316 mainly for wood and short term use and is the cheaper option and 904/904 which is a better quality liner with a longer guarantee and for more coal based stoves and more continuos use - we would always advise to pay extra and go for the better liner ,you do always get what you pay for.

All chimneys are swept before any test is done or before any new liner is installed and remember even though you have a new liner with pot and cowl they will still need to be serviced regularly by a competent person and a certifacte given(no goods are covered/guaranteed if no receipt of servicing)

We only use Fireflexmaster which is a HETAS approved flue liner made locally it comes in 316/316 or 904/904